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Londoner wins Turner Prize

London artist Elizabeth Price has won the Turner prize for a film about a fatal fire in a Woolworths store in Manchester. She took away the 25 thousand pound award at a ceremony at Tate Britain last night.

Turner Prize-winner criticises government arts policy

Price, who grew up in Luton, had originally forged a career as a pop singer, but found that she was too shy for life in the spotlight and "hated being on stage".

Elizabeth Price grew up in Luton. Credit: Yui Mok, PA

As she accepted her prize, she praised her education at Putteridge High School, a comprehensive in Luton, and criticised the government's attitude towards the arts.

Jude Law, who had presented Price with her award, had earlier criticised the "cultural vandalism" of the new English Baccalaureate qualification, which he said would take "arts, design and music" out of schools.

The award was presented by actor Jude Law. Credit: Yui Mok, PA

Price said "It's incredibly depressing listening to the comments people made earlier that a young girl from Luton going to a comprehensive might not be able to imagine being an artist and might not have the opportunities I've had."